Are Digital Humans and AI the Future of Film?

Berlin, October 9, 2024 – In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming nearly every aspect of the creative industries, the question arises: Will we continue to see real actors on screen, or will digital humans become the new stars of cinema? The new ARTE documentary “AI: Machine Dreams in Film” (“KI: Maschinenträume im Film”) seeks to answer these pressing questions.

Directed by Mario Sixtus, the documentary takes viewers on a journey into the heart of AI’s impact on the film industry. It explores how advanced technologies like AI and volumetric capture are reshaping the creative processes behind blockbuster films, raising critical concerns about the future of acting, filmmaking, and creative careers in Hollywood and beyond.

One of the key stops in the documentary’s exploration was a visit to Volucap’s studio in the renowned Babelsberg Studios, where cutting-edge digital human technology is being developed and refined. At Volucap, our team works at the forefront of volumetric capture, a technology that creates digital 3D replicas of actors – volucaps – for use in virtual environments. This breakthrough is already being used in high-profile films such as “The Matrix Resurrections” and Netflix’s “1899“.

During ARTE’s visit, Sven Bliedung von der Heide, CEO of Volucap, shared insights into how the technology works and the far-reaching implications it could have for the future of filmmaking.

The Future of Actors and Creative Professions in the Age of AI

As the documentary highlights, AI is already transforming filmmaking, from digital extras to AI-generated scripts, revolutionizing the creative landscape. Volucap plays a pivotal role in this shift, enabling the creation and manipulation of digital actors, opening up new possibilities for filmmakers and reducing costs.

However, this raises critical questions: Will AI replace real actors? Can audiences still distinguish between human performances and digital doubles? And how will AI impact writers, animators, and other creatives? These questions are at the heart of Mario Sixtus’ documentary, where industry experts discuss the profound consequences AI may have on the future of Hollywood and the creative industry.